Facelifts are one of the standard plastic surgery procedures to improve the noticeable signs of aging in the face and neck. There are numerous face lifting techniques used in plastic surgery. These include the deep plane/ SMAS facelift, mini facelift, mid-facelift, cheek lift, s-lift, cutaneous lift, and the ponytail facelift.
The Ponytail facelift is one of the most recently sought-out facelift treatments. This method is highly preferred as it is less invasive and does not allow much skin excision. This facial rejuvenation revision procedure allows individuals to achieve a younger, more youthful appearance, with the skin being naturally lifted and tightened, leaving minimal scarring or noticeable bruising.
Before determining if a ponytail facelift is appropriate, people should consider the procedure as a whole.
What is a Ponytail Facelift?
This technique pulls the skin from the scalp and, subsequently, the entire face. WAVE Plastic Surgery offers a similar procedure called the Curelift S, which is an endoscopic Mini Facelift developed by our experienced surgeons.
The main goal of a ponytail facelift procedure is to lift the mid-face, cheek structures, and jowls. This is done through small invisible incisions while using an endoscope and suspension. It is less invasive as the plastic surgeon only lifts the muscle layer of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system.
Unlike traditional facelift techniques, the incisions in ponytail facelift are placed behind the ears. Through this technique, one can easily fasten the hair in a high ponytail after the treatment. This is due to the fact that the procedure does not leave any visible scars. This results in a rejuvenated face with a more youthful appearance.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Ponytail Facelift
A ponytail facelift is highly preferred over traditional facelift surgical procedures. This is because it involves a minor incision which results in less scarring. Like many other minimally invasive surgical procedures, the treatment has less downtime and recovery time. Other advantages of a ponytail facelift include:
- Has long-lasting effects. How long does a ponytail facelift last? A ponytail facelift lasts one to five years, depending on the number of suspensions. Unlike other traditional methods, a ponytail facelift does not disrupt the functioning of the skin components, increasing the results’ lifespan.
- The procedure does not alter the appearance of the tragus. In most traditional facelift procedures, the incisions are made at the tragus or the front of the ear’s opening. This method typically leaves visible scars.
- Requires less downtime and recovery period than the traditional procedures. As a result of limited swelling, it takes fewer days to make a full recovery.
Like any other surgical treatment, a ponytail facelift has some drawbacks, which include:
- The surgeon cannot remove any excess skin. Due to this, the best candidates for this procedure are individuals with less skin
- Patients risk losing their hair in the process. The incisions extend to the head, and the plastic surgeon might remove some hair.
How Much is a Ponytail Facelift?
The ponytail facelift cost varies greatly depending on location. The length of the surgical procedure and the particular surgeon or clinic also play a role. According to reports, the average cost in Manhattan for this procedure is $20,000 to $30,000.
How Long Does the Recovery of a Ponytail Facelift Take?
The downtime and recovery period from a ponytail lift is one week. The recovery period of any surgical procedure depends on its invasiveness. Typically, procedures like ponytail facelifts involving minor incisions require less downtime and recovery than those involving significant incisions.
Who Is the Best Candidate for a Ponytail Facelift?
A ponytail facelift is ideal for individuals requiring a lift in the upper face, eyelids, and brow area. The best age to get a ponytail facelift is during the mid to late 40s or early 50s. This is when people still have minimal facial and neck skin laxity.
How to Search an Ideal Clinic for Ponytail Facelift
Cosmetic surgery is regarded as an art form in the medical world. For the best results, it is vital to conduct extensive research on the best clinics and plastic surgeons in the area. There are many things to consider when deciding which clinic or plastic surgeon is a good fit.
Some considerations for reputable clinics include:
Search for a board-certified cosmetic surgeon
To be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a plastic surgeon has to undergo a rigorous board certification process. This process usually takes several years to complete. Also, ensure that the provider is an American Society of Plastic Surgeons member. To become a member of APS, a cosmetic surgeon must pass through training and demonstrate specific patient safety standards.
Look for an accredited clinic
Most plastic surgical procedures are performed in office-based surgical clinics or ambulatory care centers. The best facilities are appropriately accredited, which means they follow strict standards for proper equipment, safety, surgeon credentials, and staffing.
The accreditations to look for include:
- State licensure
- Title XVIII Medical participation
- Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)
- Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO)
- American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF)
Search for a trustworthy plastic surgeon
Look for a surgeon that you feel comfortable enough to trust. Communication plays a great role in ensuring that the whole procedure is done the way the patient wants. It would be best to visit a surgeon you feel comfortable inquiring about anything, even after the treatment.
Ensure that the clinic has the right resources
A plastic surgery clinic should have the following resources for efficient treatment.
- An in-house or regular anesthesiologist
- Have great staff who are understanding, friendly, accommodating, honest, compassionate, and well-trained
- Have state-of-art equipment
Get a Ponytail Facelift in California
The success of a ponytail facelift highly depends on the experience and expertise of the plastic surgeon. In addition, the accreditation of a facility will play a role in the experience. At Wave Plastic Surgery, we have a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Our surgeon provides state-of-art treatments in the safest manner possible. We have five facilities in Los Angeles, Rowland Heights, Orange County, San Francisco, and Arcadia.
Our plastic surgery clinics are fully accredited by reputable plastic surgery associations. These include the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Schedule a consultation today to find out if an endoscopic facelift is right for you.
